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| INDEX OF ARTICLES | WAITING ROOM | EXAM ROOM | SURGERY ROOM | X-RAY ROOM | GENERAL TOPICS | IMPORTANT TOPICS | LAB and PHARMACY | PET PHOTOS | PET SUPPLIES | PET PHARMACY |
FALSE PREGNANCY
FALSE PREGNANCY
sychological
changes in the owner arise most
beginning about 4 weeks after the heat cycle begins (estrus) and can
continue for a number of weeks. False pregnancies are always unpredictable
and can show up whether or not a
mating has occurred. Often so
much milk is produced the bitch
becomes uncomfortable. Once
a dog has had a false pregnancy
she's likely to be afflicted again.
APPEARANCE
Most dogs experiencing a false pregnancy will begin to show some swelling in
the mammary glands about five weeks after their heat cycle has
ended. If you have bred your bitch, you will be elated that she "is
getting ready to have pups". You might also be surprised that she
"isn't filling out much". You will wonder why she isn't starting
to show a big belly. Many dogs whether they are bred or not, will develop
a false pregnancy, and look, act, and even think as if they are pregnant.
Some will carry small toys or pillows around and even start digging a nesting
site wherever they please. When the time draws near to when they would be
delivering the pups, usually 63 days after a mating, milk will drain on its own
from the mammary glands. Some dogs are really troubled that they cannot
find the pups they psychologically feel they should be nursing.
CAUSE OF FALSE PREGNANCY IN
THE DOG
The exact hormonal mechanisms that must occur to trigger false
Fortunately 90% of false pregnancies resolve over
a period of three weeks with no treatment. Since no real
harm is done there's no reason to speed up what nature will take care of in
time. For about 10% of bitches, though, the psychological effects directing
mothering behavior are so intense that the bitch is miserable. She's continually
searching for pups that aren't there and seeking relief from the mammary gland
engorgement that's making her uncomfortable. Mastitis, an infection of the
mammary glands, if it were to occur at this time could be particularly dangerous.
On occasion, in about 10% of false pregnancy cases, treatment is warranted. Various hormonal substances have been used to hasten the reabsortion of milk and to halt the milk production. None of these medications is entirely safe so close veterinary supervision is necessary. Most often the veterinarian will administer a hormone to interrupt the dog's secretions of internal hormones that may be promoting the production of more milk.
BREEDING SOUNDNESS
Any bitch showing false pregnancy is apt to have a reoccurrence in the
future. There is NO reason NOT to breed this bitch but she may be a poor
producer. There seems to be a greater risk of pyometra, a severe infection
of the uterus, in any female dog that has had false pregnancies. Learn
more about Pyometra in the Surgery
Room. There's no way of predicting the outcome of any breeding but many
bitches that have had a false pregnancy have gone on to whelp normal, healthy
litters. Evidence does not indicate that false pregnancies are an inherited
disorder.
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